Long Range Elk/Bear Rifle???

Well the time has almost come for my dad to send his rem 700 300 RUM LSS off to get rebarreled to something. First off, this rifle has to be no more then 11-12 lbs, and the lighter the better. We hunt canyons almost every day for elk and a rifle of that weight just is not fun to pack. Second, the range of this rifle needs to be from 100 yards all the way out to 1500 yards. Third it needs to be able to cleanly wack an elk at 1500 yards if need be. This leaves me with the cartridge to select. We are obviously wanting some horsepower here so I suggested the 338 EDGE w/the 300g SMK at 2850-2900fps. I was also looking at the 7mm AM w/the 200g Wildcat at 3200fps. From what I can see comparing these 2 ballistically is that the 7mm basically spanks it. However, I guess theres no replacement for that 300g slug. Also, the drop of the 338 is huge compared to that of the smaller diameter. I know we'll have to get at least a 20 MOA base, and for now he'll be using a leupold vx2 6-18 target scope. Hopefully that will get us out to 1500 yards with the 338. I know that would work with the 7mm AM as its way flatter shooting. We are open to suggestions here but dont want to get into anything to exotic. I was also thinking of the 7 STW with a 28" barrel shooting the 180g VLD or 200g wildcat, but after looking at the ballistics, I dont think that would have enough power at 1500 yards. I guess there is also the 270 AM or 277 AM shooting the big 195g bullet. I am kinda stuck as to whether I want the big 300g bullet with a .7 BC, or a lighter 190-200g bullet with a .9 BC or so.

Now from what I gather here is the 7mm AM and that 200g bullet is pretty dang good ballistically. At 1500 yards, its drop is about 1/3 of the 338, the velocity is 400fps faster, the drift is also about 1/3 of the 338. Also, the 7mm hits with about 200lbs more energy, but with a smaller diameter bullet. When you look at this way, the 7mm AM seems to be the way to fly...Although, there is no replacement for that big 300g slug. What are your guys thoughts on the ballistics here?? I'm not sure if a 20 MOA base and a leupold vx2 6-18 Target will have enough elevation to get the 338 out to 1500 yards. That thing drops A LOT more then I thought it would. I am also thinking that the 338 at 1500 yards is kinda iffy on the velocity since its barely above 1300fps. WOuld that open up that distance?? I would feel a lot better with a bullet hitting 1700fps and ensure some kinda expansion. Your guys thoughts on that??

The 300 SMK bc is .768. It helps some. I don't believe that flatter is everything. The 7 AM is a great round. I have mixed feelings about the 200 gr bullet and small diameter for terminal effects. I just posted about this on the 338 EDGE thread. In terms of exterior ballistics the 7 AM is better than the Edge no doubt there. The question in my mind is what works better after the impact. I like the idea of more mass. I have never owned a 7 AM. Hopefully Kirby will chime in as he has seen the effects of both the bigger 338's and the 7 AM firsthand.

Ooops, my bad Shawn, your right about the 300g SMK BC being .768. Yes that would help it some. Still though, the 7mm doesn't only shoot flatter, it drifts quite a bit less at every distance, has quite a bit more retained velocity, and from 800 yards on out, it does hit harder with more ft lbs, but like you say, the bigger 300g slug has more mass. Im interested to see what Kirby has to say on this subject.